1. What Is To Come
UNKNOWN POV
Grant whined in my head, pacing frantically. We both felt uneasy being summoned to this place and I grew anxious as I waited for her to appear.
This isn't good. Some fuckery is going on...
I nodded in agreement, remaining silent. I had been here only once before, back when Grant and I first met during our first shift. That was the first night she came to me in my dreams, requesting my presence. That was the only way you could touch foot in this land; SHE had to bless you. I will never forget the first time. I very much had hoped it would be the last, as the excruciating pain lived in my mind freely. To be blessed with this beautiful burden! HA! I thought bitterly. I shifted on my feet before finding a suitable rock to sit on. Thoughts of all the possible reasons she would need my help swarmed my mind once again.
To distract myself, I took in my surroundings, breathing in deeply as all the unfamiliar scents flooded my nostrils. It was a truly breathtaking site. I was in the gardens, surrounded by the blossoming peonies and hydrangeas, grazing my finger tips over their petals ever so slightly. As if they could sense my presence, they leaned into my touch and I bent to sniff them. Instantly, I rolled my shoulders back and exhaled, feeling a little bit of the tension seep away. I knew she was close. Only our mother could influence such a relaxing aura.
Grant's ears perked up in my head and I turned, feeling the demanding authority and power from the tall, gracious woman. Her long platinum hair was half pulled up in an intricate braided design, the rest flowing freely around her. My wolf and I bowed deeply in respect.
"Rise, my child," her voice flowed through the air, wrapping itself around me like a warm embrace you would receive after being away from home for too long.
"My Goddess," I greeted her. "To what do I owe the pleasure of being summoned here?"
"Straight to business as usual, I see," her laugh gently echos around the luscious garden, every plant at a complete standstill as if they were hanging on every word. "I am not a fool. Neither are you. Walk with me a while, my Lord?" she reaches her arm to me and I move forward to take it.
We strolled in silence for a short while, Grant eagerly wagging his tail at the honor of being so close with our creator.
We slow as we near a small pond.
"I fear the news I have will anger you. I also know that you feel it too, being as you are a vessel for me." she paused briefly, releasing my arm and taking a few steps away. "You have been a most gallant and brave guardian. I have asked you to make challenging decisions in the name of protecting all we have. Your loyalty to me and to your people is admirable, especially being as young as you are." She turns suddenly, her deep blue gown twirling out just a bit, eyes dark. "I now need you to complete a quest. One that will have others challenging you and your authority. One that will also involve mercy and trust in strangers from outside of your land,"
Grant growls and my jaw clenches ever so slightly. Where was this going? "Will that be all you will need from me to complete this quest?"
"No, unfortunately, there is more I need to discuss with you, and I will start by telling you I have not been truthful with you and the other Lord and Lady," The Goddess sighed deeply and I crossed my arms, already knowing that I was going to be very, very unhappy.
